Grove City Man Charged With Using His Dead Mother's Social Security Benefits

PITTSBURGH - A Mercer County resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of theft of government property, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The one-count indictment named Alexander Viskovatoff, 57, of Grove City, PA.

According to the indictment, in and around January 2011, through in and around September 2012, Viskovatoff converted to his own use funds of the Social Security Administration that had been intended to be benefits for his deceased mother.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to ten years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.